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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Put Knob Creek 9 Year next to Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +2 yr | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$25 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- Knob Creek 9 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).